A Dundee restaurant owner has said he stands by a Tripadvisor reply where he described a grumbling customer as a “filthy animal” and threatened to “slap his face”.
The complaint, posted on the hospitality website which encourages feedback from customers, was issued by “Andrew from Anstruther” who questioned the Dynasty restaurant on Perth Road’s cleanliness, temperature and said he would “never go back”.
The post, dated October 15, said: “Floors, tables filthy. The coldest restaurant I’ve ever been in and the food’s not much better.
“I cannot understand how anyone could enjoy this place unless it’s dark and you’re already drunk! Won’t ever go again.”
The tirade prompted a strong response from Dynasty owner Sunny Malik, 28, on the popular website.
Posting a day later, Mr Malik said: “Dear filthy animal, yes of course you had to post this because you wanted alcohol served with your meal indoors which is illegal at the moment in Scotland.
“You wanted music on with your meal which is illegal at the moment in Scotland, you wanted the ventilation door shut as you were cold which we couldn’t due to Covid-19 restrictions placed in our premises.
“On top of that you didn’t want to pay for your meal after consuming it which was not possible.
“I heard all this through my manager and I was not only amazed but laughed. I don’t know whether you’re not right in your head or pretending to be?
“Or you just woke up from a coma the same day? Honestly, if I was there in person, I would slap you so hard right on your face that you would never ever dare to trouble any hospitality business during such crisis! Get a life before it gets you!”
Dynasty has received 36 reviews on Tripadvisor, with 20 people describing the restaurant as excellent, while seven others have described it as terrible.
The other nine reviews range from very good to poor.
Mr Malik has defended his strongly-worded response and says he was only echoing some of the jibes made by the customer.
He said: “I stand by what I wrote and I feel justified.
“This diner called my restaurant filthy so it was a case of tit for tat – I called him a filthy animal back.
“This person really upset me and I have every reason to believe I was right in becoming upset and responding as I did.
“This restaurant is my baby and I have worked very hard to keep it going while still adhering to all the government guidelines.
“I think this person was trying it on and trying to get a discount.
“I do not agree with how he described my restaurant.
“This is a very difficult time for the hospitality trade and bad reviews can seriously damage a restaurant’s reputation.”
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